Choice Hotels International broke ground today on two Manhattan locations of Cambria Suites, a day after the company began work on another Cambria Suites property in White Plains, N.Y. Together, the three properties cost $141 million and will create 461 hotel rooms, according to a company release.

A new 21-story and 196-room hotel is under construction at 30 West 46th Street; the project’s developer is Cambria Suites, which is turning the building into one of its namesake hotels. Kaufman is the architect of record; permits for the site note that SLCE was the previous architect.

An on-site rendering reveals the eventual design, which is typical for new hotel developments in Midtown Manhattan; the bulk of the tower is recessed from the street, breaking what little urban context the block had prior to construction. Exposed HVAC units are also noticeable in the image, and seem to dominate the facade, which is otherwise quite plain; indeed, the presence of HVAC units seems enhanced compared to previous images of the project, posted on Curbed.

Besides the obvious presence of mechanicals on the exterior, there will also be a nine-story protrusion from the building’s mid-sections, which further detracts from the project’s appearance. Even for budget hotels, the aesthetics of 30 West 46th Street look to be bottom of the barrel — and comparing the development to its dingy, low-rise neighbors, the project will be a net detraction.

Extell was originally supposed to develop the site, but sold its stake in the project to Cambria Suites for $30 million back in 2012.

Completion of 30 West 46th Street is expected in April of 2015.

__________________“If I have done the public any service, it is due to my patient thought.” ― Isaac Newton

i really don't understand this trend of towers on a short podium in midtown manhattan. is it just to get height on the tower within the far? if so, we need to get some sort of discussion going about some sort of mandatory building envelope. it's just such a shame, really takes away from the street.

Also hotelchatter indicated completion this spring, or in this case, April. This being the second "Cambria" hotel to finish. Previous one in Chelsea finished a couple of months ago. Had a okay rating too, 7.7/10, but eh, thats a Kaufman hotel. Can't expect much.